Ontario Supporting Film and TV

News Release

Ontario Supporting Film and TV

Province Announces Funding for Canadian Film Centre Training

TORONTO — Ontario's government is supporting the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) with a $350,000 grant for film and television training activities.

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, was at CFC today to announce funding for the nationally recognized film school and training centre for creators and entrepreneurs working in the film, television and new media industries.

"Ontario's talented content producers and other industry professionals showcase all that our province has to offer," said Minister MacLeod. "We're ready to share it with the world by investing in the Canadian Film Centre's television and film training activities to grow this important $1.9 billion-dollar industry."

CFC training programs are intensive, hands-on and delivered by leading industry professionals. They target producers, directors, writers, actors, musicians and editors who already have experience in feature film and television production, and provide them with opportunities to establish and expand their business networks in Canada and abroad.

"The Canadian Film Centre plays a vital role in empowering Canadian creative and entrepreneurial talent, and we are pleased by Minister MacLeod's recognition and support. Working together, we will continue to generate world-class content, products and companies for the global marketplace," added Christina Jennings, Chair of the Board of Directors, CFC and Chairman & CEO, Shaftesbury.

Minister MacLeod has also committed to host three roundtables with sector leaders to explore collaboration opportunities to grow Ontario's film, television and new media industries.

Quick Facts

In 2018, film and television production supported by the province was up from 2017 by almost 19 per cent, and the number of jobs also increased by 4,300.

There was a healthy balance between domestic and foreign film and TV production in 2018, with just over $1 billion in foreign production spending and almost $850 million in domestic production spending in Ontario.

In 2019–20, the province supported the Toronto International Film Festival with over $1.5 million through Ontario Creates and the Ontario Arts Council.

CFC was founded by Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison in 1988 and marked its 30-year anniversary in 2018.